Overview

Romeo Cormier (5 January 1950 – 17 January 2020) was a Canadian professional wrestler best known by his ring name Bobby Kay. A member of the Cormier wrestling family, he competed in Canada and the United States from 1967 into the mid-1980s. He combined in-ring work with behind-the-scenes roles in regional promotion and later pursued music and ordinary employment after retiring from active competition.

Early life and family

Cormier came from a wrestling family that included several brothers who worked as professional wrestlers. That family background helped him enter the business and shaped his early career, providing both training and access to regional circuits. He adopted the ring name Bobby Kay, under which he became the most widely recognized of his siblings.

Wrestling career and role

Beginning in 1967, Bobby Kay wrestled for a variety of regional promotions in Canada and the United States. He performed in singles and tag team matches typical of the era, appearing on television and at regional cards. Like many performers of the period he combined athleticism with character work to entertain local audiences; he is remembered as a steady presence on the North American regional scene rather than as a national headline star.

Promoting and business activity

Beyond his in-ring career, Cormier took on promotional responsibilities. He owned and operated part of the Eastern Sports Association, a regional promotion, where he worked on booking, promotion and the production side of shows. That dual role — performer and promoter — was common among wrestlers who wished to extend their careers and influence the business locally.

Later life: music and work

After retiring from full-time wrestling in the mid-1980s, Bobby Kay performed country music professionally for a period, touring in smaller venues and drawing on his entertainment experience. Later he moved into conventional employment and took a job with Loblaws, transitioning to a private life outside the public eye.

Legacy and notable points

Bobby Kay is remembered as part of the Cormier wrestling family and as a figure in regional Canadian wrestling history. His career illustrates how many wrestlers of his generation combined performing, promoting and other occupations. Key aspects of his life include:

  • Service as a regional professional wrestler active from the late 1960s to the mid-1980s.
  • Participation in both Canadian and U.S. regional circuits and televised cards (wrestling circuits).
  • Ownership/management role with the Eastern Sports Association.
  • Post-wrestling pursuits in music and later employment at Loblaws.